Monday, January 15, 2018

Year after year, a farce of political action takes place at the Redding Martin Luther King Center. A hypocritical fallacy of local political, religious, and non profit leaders trumpeting social action, under the guise of the hopes and aspirations of Martin Luther King Jr's "beloved community"

Unfortunately year after year, a beloved community that never includes Redding and Shasta Counties increasingly oppressed and criminalized homeless population. Of course I suppose one cannot be as vocal about such a marginalized community, when one sits in a MLK Center building bought and paid for by the City of Redding some years back. The same city of Redding that fights homelessness by closing public restrooms and shutting off public drinking fountains during scorching summer days

I suppose one cannot still be vocal when the very instruments of Redding homeless oppression are in attendance patting the flesh, shaking hands with those who show themselves subscribing to the ideals of MLK,s beloved community, but stand in stoney silence in the face of those Redding police who tear the very fabric of the "beloved community" dream criminalizing homelessness and making it a crime.

Redding Police Officer Ed Ochoa

Now this certainly on the day was brought up to Action News Now and KRCR TV News reporters on the scene. And one would think that life's reality and circumstances of those affected would make such news observations keenly felt. Does not the ravages of homelessness cross all cultural and racial divides?

KRCR TV News Reporter Sade Browne

One could only imagine today if Martin Luther King Jr was alive and in attendance of such a local Redding gathering what he would say to such a Redding Police officer, or Mayor, whose persecution of those who find themselves in homeless poverty surely would feel the same spiritual verbal lashing rebuke that the stone silent religious leaders would find themselves under, for being homeless should never be a crime.

Redding Mayor Kristen Schreder

We find ourselves under such conditions ever more grateful to the convictions and courage of Martin Luther King Jr., and even more so to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who's atributes year after year have been absent from Reddings MLK celebrations, as well as those that they consider the least of the brethren as MLK's vision of a beloved community. It appears the Redding Martin Luther King Center is nothing more than a political subdivision of the City of Redding.

Friday, September 8, 2017

This blog entry is a call to action , a call for compassionate revolution really...

Its time for the city of Redding to take a new approach to those folks homeless and living outdoors. One that strikes a balance between protecting the constitutional and civil rights of the homeless and legitimate public health and safety concerns.

Shutting off public bathrooms and water fountains is not only unacceptably cruel it degrades and reduces the humanity of those affected, those that implement the actions, and the Redding community as a whole.

Stopping churches from physically and spiritually feeding and ministering to homeless in parks is simply another way the city of Redding has grasped hatred as a weaponagainst the poor and homeless.

Its time for all good people to let their voice be heard, a call to action to those who realize hate can never win, that love is and always will be the answer.

That demonizing a group of people for what ever reason find themselves homeless and treated like trash that can be swept up and thrown away during continuous so called quality of life police homeless camp sweeps damages the homeless, and never answers the question,

Where can they go?

Would you be interested in giving your time and energy to such a revolution?

We need your talents, time and energy to fight such hatred that has permeated the entire community against the homeless. We must come together, for we have been silent for far to long and find the answer to what will it take City of Redding To Rip The Heart From Your Hate....?

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Some time ago attempting to pull out from the parking lot of a Cypress street McDonalds, I was detained by a rather curious looking hunched over older gentleman pushing a shopping cart.

Visually using Redding's growing negative stereotypical eye one would find this man utterly and completely beyond hope to the extreme, and at first glance I admit I would have to join you.

Noticeable first about his old tan weather beaten face was the look of humility. Then looking up, smiling and for a lack of better words his eyes gave of a brief, intense flash of light....

We engaged in brief pleasantries and although it became apparent the age old drink that has driven many to the streets obviously played a role here the few coins offered to this man spiritually would be payed back immensely. In fact I looked for him several times after that encounter to no avail, until across town attending a seminar I found him again, or should I say he found me.

He told me the story of how he went through town , knocking on back doors of church offices asking for help... Only to be told the police are coming. Was this a test for Church bodies that dwell in the heart of downtown Redding ?

Now the church I speak is the Seventh Day Adventist on Eureka way and although I don't agree with their doctrine Henry had been knocking on Church doors from McDonalds on Cypress all through town and this was the last one left. I certainly was overwhelmed with their love for this man I had now come to know as Henry.

Perhaps they saw the twinkle flash of light in his eye as well...

For two days they let this poor homeless man stay on their church porch until a family there took him in for personal hygiene and fresh new clothes.

Then Henry was taken to the Good News Rescue Mission and for the first time I knew of the Director waived the 30 day in 30 day out rule for Henry.

Perhaps he saw the twinkle flash of light in his eye as well...

The men in the program at the time went above and beyond what they were required to do helping with Henry's bathing and grooming needs, even trimming toe nails better left undescribed.

Well with the Grace of God Henry quit drinking ! He even had his own ministry putting Bible tracts around town! Many at the mission half jokingly would say Henry was an angel.

Perhaps homeless saw the twinkle flash of light in his eye as well...

Henry loved his soda pop and never wanted for funds. He could simply stand in front of the mission and a Corvette would pull over giving him a 100 dollar bill ! Mind you, he never had a sign, and it got so bad they would not let Henry stand out in front any longer....

There is hope for what looks stunningly irretrievable. Our Father through Jesus Christ let me watch His healing compassionate hand over this man step by step, and it to this day humbles me to the core.